The Audi SQ8 e-tron has three engines (one at the front and two at the rear) with a total power of 370 kW and a torque of 973 Nm!
Test Audi Q8 e-tron 2023. The truth is that if you have been isolated from the exciting automotive world in recent months, you will think that it is a new SUV model –and electric car to be more specific– that Audi is pulling out of its sleeve .
However, the truth is that it is a new trade name for what was the pioneer, the first electric car of the brand with the four rings: the new Audi e-tron, which was presented in September 2018 and launched on the market after a few months.
Given that the e-tron range has been expanding –namely: Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi e-tron GT… and what remains to reach 20 electric models in 2026, Well, the objective of the brand is to become a completely electric brand in 2033– it was time to put the right commercial label on the pioneer.
Therefore, with this commercial movement, the new Audi Q8 e-tron fully enters the upper range of the Audi range and becomes, de facto, the flagship of Audi’s electric SUVs.
In addition to the change in trade name, the Q8 e-tron has also received – and coinciding with the midway point of the model cycle – a slight but successful facelift.
design and interior
In this sense, the new Audi Q8 e-tron Audi debuts both at the front and at the rear the new corporate design language, with the logo of the four rings in two-dimensional style. In addition, the spelling used in the inscription of the model on the B-pillar is also new.
As for the dimensions, nothing changes, except for the fact that the SQ8 version – to which the images and video of this test correspond – is 2 mm lower and 39 mm wider. This last fact contributes to the fact that the SQ8 e-tron has elements that are reserved for RS models, such as the wider wheel arches (23 mm more).
All in all, and thanks to its wheelbase of 2,928 mm, the Audi Q8 e-tron offers great habitability, while the boot volume remains very generous with 569 liters for the SUV body and 529 liters in the case of the Sportback. Add to this the additional 62 liters under the front hood.
Regarding the driving position, the most significant changes correspond to the use of recycled material in the area above the screens. The aforementioned material, called Tech Layer, is partially made from PET bottles.
In this sense, in the case of the S-Line finish of the Audi Q8 e-tron, synthetic leather and Dinamica microfiber are available, while the cover of the mixed plastic seat belt buckles is treated with mixed recycling.
For the rest, the Q8 e-tron’s cockpit exudes typical Audi quality, with the 10.1- and 8.6-inch MMI Touch infotainment screens respectively – in addition to the digital instrumentation.
In the technological section, the 40 driver assistance systems, 5 radar sensors, 12 ultrasonic sensors and Digital Matrix LED lights stand out. Bet, without a doubt, on cutting-edge technology.
The work carried out in the aerodynamic section deserves a separate mention. And it is that for the Audi development team this was an absolute priority in order to optimize the autonomy of this electric SUV.
To this end, underbody-mounted spoilers help direct airflow around the wheels. In addition, the size of the spoilers on the front axle was increased.
Likewise, in the area of the front grill, Audi has used a self-sealing device for the first time, in addition to having a system of electric louvers that automatically close the air intake to the radiator, thus further optimizing the flow of air and unwanted losses are avoided.
All these measures have resulted in a decrease in the drag coefficient from 0.26 to 0.24 for the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback, and from 0.28 to 0.27 for the Q8 e-tron.
This is how your engine and benefits work
For both bodies you can choose between three drive variants with electric all-wheel drive. The Audi Q8 50 e-tron has a motor on the front axle and another on the rear that generate a system power of 250 kW in boost mode, and a maximum torque of 664 Nm. Autonomy is up to 486 km for the SUV; and up to 501 km in the Sportback.
Also with two engines, power in the Audi Q8 55 e-tron reaches 300 kW, with 664 Nm of maximum torque. The WLTP autonomy in this case is up to 575 km for the SUV, and up to 595 km for the Sportback. Top speed in the Q8 50 e-tron and Q8 55 e-tron is limited to 200 km/h.
In my case, although I also had the opportunity to drive the Q8 e-tron 55, I focused on testing the Audi SQ8 e-tron, which has three electric motors –one in front and two in the rear– that offer a total power of 370 kW [en este enlace puedes calcular equivalencia de kW en CV] and a tremendous maximum torque of 973 Nm! Its autonomy is 465 km (483 km for the SQ8 e-tron Sportback).
dynamic behavior
For this first test –and as explained in the video that accompanies these lines– the fabulous island of Lanzarote has been chosen. A territory with roads that run through places that take your breath away and that, in addition, link curves and more curves with steep ups and downs. In short, a perfect environment to test an electric SUV like the Audi SQ8 e-tron.
Lanzarote’s only drawback is the abundance of radars, most of them with a speed limit of 60 km/h. And I can assure you that maintaining that speed with a bug like the SQ8 e-tron is not an easy task.
Yes, because the Audi SQ8 e-tron –but also the Q8 e-tron– is so well insulated acoustically speaking and as soon as you press the accelerator it gains so much momentum that you’re constantly risking the recipe.
But I have to admit that being so obsessed with not exceeding the speed limits allowed me not only to enjoy the scenery and the trip, but above all to pay attention to all the aspects, to the whole environment that surrounds the cabin of the SQ8 e-tron.
Thus, for example, I was able to see how well the vocal command system works – with tremendous sensitivity to the point that if I started humming a song and the system identified a keyword, the assistant would ask me…
Of course, the navigation system requires optimization because in certain areas it was a mess. Maybe it’s about updating the cartography. But in general it works well, and in combination with the head-up display (optional but highly recommended) the trip becomes child’s play.
And once you get out of radar Comanche territory and you want to get the most out of the SQ8 e-tron, Audi’s electric SUV is a ground-to-ground missile. And best of all, in sharp turns and changes of support, the work done by the development team with the air suspension with electronically controlled dampers.
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The suspension, meanwhile, has been tuned to optimize the vehicle’s lateral dynamics, while the steering is now more progressive and communicative. All this has resulted in much more stability, despite the fact that the laws of physics are unforgiving.
Regarding consumption, and with radars involved, I achieved partial consumption of 21 kWh, although finally including the rock&roll sections, the mixed consumption was established at 25.6 kWh. A good piece of information… in these circumstances and for one of the largest SUVs among electric vehicles.
Price and rivals
The market launch of the new electric cars Audi Q8 e-tron and Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron (both with the DGT Zero Emissions label), for which orders are already accepted, is scheduled for the end of February 2023.
The access version for the Spanish market will be the Advanced edition, with a price of 84,610 euros in the case of the Q8 e-tron 50; and 94,610 euros for the Q8 e-tron 55. The Sportback version has an additional price of 2,500 euros.
As for rivals, the Audi Q8 e-tron 2023 faces the BMW iX (which starts at 104,000 euros), the Mercedes EQE SUV (which is not yet for sale) and the Tesla Model Y (which is somewhat smaller than Ingolstadt’s electric SUV has a lower entry price, but it is much worse finished and needs a restyling).
